"Ready to give up, go find another cave?" I grunt. I'm not a talker the way some folks are, but it has its place. Bravado, taunts. Sometimes it's just another way of expelling air as you exert yourself, like I am now, trying to to force his arm behind his back in a position I can pin him, force him around and back.

It's a lot harder than it is with your average punk. I can take a lot of hits -- I've had plenty of practice -- but even so, I'm going to start slowing down, getting more dazed. I don't want to take my time putting him down for the count.

Not easy, though. He's had experience, too. If I didn't have a job to do, this'd even be good practice.

Hell, it still is.